We must, without apology, without fear, without ceasing, preach and practice our beliefs, carrying them out to the point of suffering.
From Galatians 5:25: “If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.”
Faith is like a tender plant, rooted in Christ alone, watered by the Spirit and the Word, strengthened by the winds of adversity and the sunshine of blessing.
From Isaiah 53:2: “For He grew up before Him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; He had no form or majesty that we should look at Him, nothing in His appearance that we should desire Him.”
From Ephesians 2:8: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.”
During childhood years
Hearing about God
Stories filling ears
Joining with His squad
Years moving along
Learning about God
Life fills with His song
Accepting His rod
Adulthood arrives
Discovering God
His message now thrives
Walking on fresh sod
Maturity comes
Truly knowing God
Steady, beating drum
Crashing sin’s facade
Divine hands rebuild
Spirit calling out
Righteousness refilled
Taking Heaven’s route
From Philippians 3:15-16: “Let those of us then who are mature be of the same mind; and if you think differently about anything, this too God will reveal to you. Only let us hold fast to what we have attained.”
Sometimes life’s waters become turbulent
God’s seaworthy vessel carries the day
His Word quiets the daily storms we face
With His Spirit, angels leading the way
Jesus has walked on the water we sail
Inspiring many to always believe
Encountering rough “Titanic” struggles
Our journey will overcome, the storm leaves
Sailing off course, we have a champion
Jesus fathoms, walking ahead of us
Father, Son, Holy Ghost . . . never alone
Following our Savior, in whom we trust
God’s faithfulness, sets a perfect heading
Sailing away, His true compass leading
Hiding
World’s light
With swirling anarchy
Sharing Gospel, removing darkness
Faith
Seeking
Father’s heart
Giving of ourselves
Kneeling at Calvary’s cross
Hope
Reading
God’s Word
Grace and mercy
Calling us to repentance
Love
From Proverbs 11:8: “The righteous are delivered from trouble, and the wicked get into it instead.”
Life encountering trouble
Feeling faith shriveling up
Surrounded, total darkness
God calling, drink from My cup
Life’s trials testing our faith
Walking path filled with hardship
Shadowed by prowling darkness
God calling, He rights our ship
Life challenges fragile faith
Hungering for something more
Shrouded by empty darkness
God calling, enter My door
Life summons Abraham’s faith
Overcoming our miscues
Illuminated in light
God calling, walk in Christ’s shoes
From Isaiah 33:2: “O Lord, be gracious to us; we wait for you. Be our arm every morning, our salvation in the time of trouble.”
When will we ever learn that there are no hopeless situations, only people who have grown hopeless about them?
From Psalm 142:3: “When my spirit is faint, you know my way.”
Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One who is leadiing.
From Hebrews 11:8: “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; and he set out, not knowing where he was going.”
From Romans 7:14-15: “For we know that the law is spiritual; but I am of the flesh, sold into slavery under sin. I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.”
Even after salvation
Evil gathers temptation
Satan never giving up
His truth always false, made-up
Man continues to wrestle
Sin looks for place to nestle
Feelings of condemnation
Life bears guilty fixation
Inner conflict tears apart
Jesus speaks truth to each heart
Faith’s dilemma overcome
Favored, steady, beating drum
Savior’s blood wipes sin away
Blessed by love, trust never sways
God’s grace eternally flows
His constant love never slows
Father shall never reject
Those who faithfully connect
False promises never blind
Truth of Scripture filling minds
From Romans 8:1-2: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.”
From Ephesians 2:8: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.”
Dead from our trespasses
Sin ruling over man
Living outside God’s law
Called to accept His plan
God opens grace-filled door
Cooling desires of flesh
Sharing His mercy’s love
Today begins afresh
Salvation accepted
Lord’s spring of grace will flow
Tasting divine favor
Mistakes washed white as snow
Life christened with God’s joy
Made alive in Jesus
Overcoming weakness
Lord’s divine grace frees us
Eternal age to come
Lord’s love shall see us through
Saving us from darkness
Grace through faith comes in view
From 2 Corinthians 12:9-10: “But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.’ So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.”
Big Sky Buckeye 